Module Five - Project #2 Art Gallery Visit #1- Responding To Artwork

Art Gallery Visit #1 ::  Burchfield Penney Art Center

A.) Which artworks make an impact or impression on me? Why?

Ling Xia Jiang

Wrapped House, 1991

Oil on Canvas

The impression I got from this picture is that here is a girl in a field with a house in the distant.  I felt that this girl feels isolated from this house or distant from this house and that is why it is wrapped.  Almost as if it is something within reach but something that she cannot feel a part of.

Virginia Cuthbert

Several Summers Ago, 1966

Oil on Canvas

The impression I got from this was it was just a lazy day spent but some family or friends enjoying a game of croquet.  These three are taking a break from the game and sitting down enjoying each other.  A relaxing picture.

Larry W. Griffis, Jr.

Yellow Sky, 1959

Oil on Board

The impression I got from this is that the artist was trying to make me think.  Why use these colors and in such a rigid way?  I love the color choices of the reds, yellows, and oranges.  I see land, mountain, and sky when I look at this picture.

B.) Which artworks do I feel a connection with? Why?

Charles E. Burchfield

Portrait Study in a Spring Landscape (Martha)

Watercolor, graphite, and charcoal on joined paper

In the next three portraits I feel a connection because they are of children.  These are taken of Charles Burchfield children and are very beautifully done.  I love the color that was brought out in these.  I am drawn to these because I have children and I love and adore their portraits.  I can only imagine what these meant to him creating them and then enjoying them.  I especially love the one of his son just sitting on the steps reading a book.  Capturing a leisurely pastime of a young boy enjoying a book.

Charles E. Burchfield

Artist’s Daughter---Catherine, 1930-1960

Watercolor, graphite, and charcoal on joined paper

Charles E. Burchfield

Rainy Day, 1935

Reproduction of watercolor on paper

C.) Which artworks would I like to know more about? Why?

John L. Garretson

Untitled, Undated

Bromoil photograph

I am curious about this photograph.  I have always been drawn to old photos.  It is the wondering about the day, what happened around that time, why was this ship there?   What was this ship doing and where was it going?

John L. Garretson

Untitled, Undated

Bromoil photograph

I am curious about this photograph.  I have always been drawn to old photos.  It is the wondering about the day, what happened around that time, why was this ship there?   What was this ship doing and where was it going?

Bill Stewart

Shaman, 1989

Glazed terracotta

I found this sculpture neat.  It reminds me of some of the artwork in the movie Beetlejuice.  I wonder what the artist was thinking of when he created this particular piece.  It is a very interesting piece of work that provokes many different thoughts for me as to what and why it is.

Module Five - Art Making/Material Exploration #2: Logo Design

~~Stephanie Kelly’s Logo~~

1. Discuss what you thought about creating your logo.

I mostly thought about how I was going to fit all the elements that I wanted to incorporate into my logo without making it look too busy.  I knew what I wanted, but it was too busy and my eye did not know where it was supposed to look.  I wanted to simplify it without loosing anything that I wanted to put into it.

2. Describe the process: creative thinking skills and ideas you used in the logo creation.

I knew what I wanted to do.  I knew what symbolized me, what defined me.  I also thought about if someone were to think of me, what would they think of.  Everyone knows that I love sunflowers and my family is the world to me.  Everyone knows that I would move mountains for my children if I could and that I would do anything for someone I love.  I also loved sunflowers from the late 80s so it was a matter of fitting all of this into one neat little logo.  I thought that adding my children’s names around the sunflower made it look crowded and too busy so I too that out.  I achieved the importance of my children by making MOM the biggest part of the center of the sunflower.  I think that has the same effect as having their name in it.

3. What was the most important discovery you made in the creation of your logo?

The most important discovery that I made while I created my logo was drawing sunflowers is not my strong suit J.  I can keep the logo simple as still achieve what I set out to achieve, making something that defines me.  If I were to show this to my family and friends they would say, “yup…that’s you.” 

4. What is the most important information you learned from watching the videos, PowerPoint, and reading material for this project? What is your opinion of the videos?

 The videos were good and very informative.  It taught me that you might not come up with a winner right off the bat and making a logo is a process of trial and error.  Bottom line is to be able to convey what it is you want people to know through your logo or product you are creating.  I learned that sometimes things just do not work either.  Trial and error, hard work and dedication to something will pay off in the end.